Pre-season for the Celtics tipped off tonight, and it didn't go exactly as planned, as the Celtics dropped the first game of the pre-season to the 76ers, 97-92. As advertised, Pierce, Garnett, and Allen didn't play a whole lot, each getting around 17 minutes. Though they lost tonight, there are some positives that came out of it:

• Bill Walker looks lke he could be yet another steal for Danny Ainge
• Darius Miles looked healthy
• Patrick O'Bryant looked more than serviceable
• Tony Allen looked healthier, and was attacking the basket
• The defense still looked smothering
• Pierce, Garnett, and Allen looked just like they did in June, not missing a beat